Matthew Poole and continuators on Hosea 2:5

5 For their mother hath played the harlot : she that conceived them hath done shamefully : for she said , I will go after my lovers , that give me my bread and my water, my wool and my flax, mine oyl and my drink.

This demonstrates the truth of the charge, and justifieth the severity of the punishment.

Vid. ver. 2. let. g.

Doted on Idols, worshipt them, and brought forth▪ and educated chil[illegible: 1 letter]dren for them.

This practice in best circumstance it can be put, was dishonourable as well as dishonest; but here is an aggravation of it; 'twas done with shameless impudence, and openly avowed. Ier. 3 3. with a whores forehead.

She took up resolutions, declar'd them, stood to them, none could alter her course.

When they came not to her, she will go to them; impudent Adultress! forsaken, thou courtest and woest.

This spoken as if they loved her better then her hu[illegible: 1 letter]band loved her; this high degree of impudence. These are the Idols she worshipt, and the Idolaters she associated and traded with.

Whereas every mercy she enjoyed was God's gift to her, and a fruit of his covenant, love and faithfulness towards her; yet she denies (like an impudent strumpet) all his kindness, and in a manner chargeth him with such hardness, and ill usage, that she had starved, if her Idols, and Idolatrous friends had not maintained her, and gives out, the bred she eat, and water she drank and the cloaths she wore, all was of their kindness. This is shameful indeed; and the Prophet hath set it forth to the life; and now is there not good reason, why a Husband so abused should without pity cast off such a Mother, such Children, and leave them to live on their chosen lovers, or to perish under the hatred of their despised God.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 letter]4.17. [illegible: 1 letter] 12.; [illegible: 1 span] dri[illegible: 1 letter]ks.